Avis De Voto Papers, 1929-1990

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Avis De Voto Papers, 1929-1990

1929-1990

https://hollisarchives.lib.harvard.edu/repositories/8/resources/7069

The Avis DeVoto papers consist of correspondence, draft manuscripts, recipes, etc., the bulk of which document her work as the editor of several cookbooks including Mastering the Art of French Cooking (volumes I and II), Simca's Cuisine, New Menus from Simca's Cuisine, and Season to Taste. Additional material received between 1988 and 2012 (accession numbers 88-M185, 89-M7, 90-M22, 90-M35, 2012-M210, 2012-M220, 2012-M237) was added to the collection in April 2015. These materials are housed in #41f+-92. Folders added in April 2015 are listed in intellectual, not sequential order. The papers have been arranged in three series. Series I, Julia Child, 1952-1988 (#1-36, folio boxes 2af-2bf, 41f-47, 71-92), includes correspondence tracing the evolution of Volume I of Mastering the Art of French Cooking from its inception to its publication. A wide range of other topics is covered in these letters: McCarthyism, the problems of security clearance, pitfalls and successes of a career in the United States Foreign Service, the national temperament and character of the French, Germans, Norwegians, English. Newspaper and magazine clippings and photographs are also included. Correspondents include Julia Child, Paul Child, Elizabeth David, Avis DeVoto, Bernard DeVoto, Simone Beck, Alfred A. Knopf, William Koshland, Judith Jones, Louisette Bertholle, Dorothy de Santillana, Benjamin Fairbank, and Paul Brooks. The bulk of the correspondence in this series is from Julia Child to DeVoto, although letters from other correspondents (including publishers and co-authors) that are related to the publication of Child's cookbooks are also included. Most letters from Paul Child are of a personal nature and describe the Child's professional activities and their experiences during their times in various cities in Europe and the United States. Series II, Elizabeth David, 1957-1986 (#37-39, 48), includes correspondence between Avis DeVoto, Judith Jones, Alfred A. Knopf, and Elizabeth David primarily about issues with editing David's Italian Cooking, originally published in England, for American readers. Letters discuss the many differences between British and American measurements, cooking terms, the differences between brown and white eggs, etc. Series III, Avis DeVoto, Peggy Harvey, and others, 1929-1990 (#40, 49-70), includes a check register; correspondence, notes and clippings; recipes; photographs; etc., belonging to Avis DeVoto. Correspondence with Judith Jones, Alfred A. Knopf, and Susan Sheehan regards Volume II of Mastering the Art of French Cooking and other manuscripts under review by Knopf as well as a biography of Knopf being written by Sheehan. Correspondence between Avis DeVoto, Peggy Harvey, and William Koshland of Alfred A. Knopf, relates to the editing of Harvey's cookbook, Season to Taste (1958). Correspondence between DeVoto and Simone Beck regards work on her cookbooks Simca's Cuisine (1972) and New Menus from Simca's Cuisine (1979). Other correspondence documents DeVoto's work as an editor with other authors, publishers, etc.; DeVoto's work with the Breadloaf Writers' Conference; and personal relationships with a number of people including food writer M.F.K. Fisher and William Raney of Bobbs Merrill Publishers.

4.75 linear feet ((6 file boxes, 2 half file boxes, 2 folio boxes) plus 1 folio+ folder, 2 photographs folders, 1 folio+ photograph folder.)

eng, Latn

Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 7094874

Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏

Related Entities

There are 9 Entities related to this resource.

Harvey, Peggy

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6w40rbv (person)

Child, Paul, 1902-1994

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6vf7nh9 (person)

David, Elizabeth, 1913-1992

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6v41md5 (person)

Child, Julia, 1912-2004

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6gc2t6b (person)

Julia Child, cookbook writer, cookery teacher, and TV personality, was born Julia Carolyn McWilliams, in Pasadena, California, on August 15, 1912. She attended the Katharine Branson School in Ross, California (1927-1930), and graduated from Smith College in 1934. She worked in public relations in New York City (1934-1941) and served in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS, 1941-1946). She was stationed in Ceylon, where she met her future husband, and in China. In 1946, sh...

De Voto, Bernard Augustine, 1897-1955

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6mp54g4 (person)

American educator, novelist, and Literary Editor of the Mark Twain Estate. From the description of Autograph and typed letters signed (11) : Lincoln and Cambridge, Mass. ; White Plains, New York, to Edward Wagenknecht, [n.d.] and 1935-1947. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270863883 Betty White was one of De Voto's students at Northwestern in the 1920's. She was literary, and the best friend of Avis MacVicar, whom De Voto shortly married. As a senior at Northwestern, Betty Whi...

Knopf, Alfred A., 1892-1984

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w68g8n8m (person)

Correspondence to Lewis Mumford from Alfred A. Knopf and his wife, Blanche Knopf. From the description of Letters, 1928-1944, to Lewis Mumford. (University of Pennsylvania Library). WorldCat record id: 155870929 Publisher. From the description of Reminiscences of Alfred A. Knopf : oral history, 1961. (Columbia University In the City of New York). WorldCat record id: 309743309 American publisher. From the description of Typed letters signed (1...

De Voto, Avis MacVicar, 1904-1989

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6301vmj (person)

DeVoto was an editor, specializing in cookbooks, for Alfred A. Knopf, 1956-1958. Prior to that, she had handled the correspondence of her husband, Bernard A. DeVoto (1897-1955) author, editor, historian, and literary critic. She was also House Secretary in Lowell House at Harvard and worked in the dean's office at Radcliffe. The DeVotos had two sons. From the description of Papers, 1952-1968 (inclusive). (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 232006572 De Voto was an edit...

Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6mw6dhb (corporateBody)

Weinstock was an executive editor at Knopf. From the description of Correspondence with Adolf Klarmann, 1945. (University of Pennsylvania Library). WorldCat record id: 155862789 American publishing house. From the description of Records. Series VIII., London Office Files, 1910-1957 (bulk 1928-1940). (Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center (HRC); University of Texas at Austin). WorldCat record id: 122617133 From the description of Records, 1873-1996 (bul...

Beck, Simone, 1904-1991

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6tj036q (person)

Cookbook author and cooking instructor Simone "Simca" Beck (1904-1992) was born in Normandy, France. In 1933 Beck began taking classes at the Cordon Bleu in Paris, but her professional career as a cook and teacher did not begin until nearly twenty years later, after she had become involved in the Cercle des Gourmettes, an exclusive women's culinary club. She and Louisette Bertholle, who also joined the Cercle, began working on a French cookbook for Americans. After an unsuccessful a...